In July 2025, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) celebrated the successful completion of 10 Years of Skill India Mission by hosting a conference cum exhibition under the title ‘Bharat SkillNxt 2025’ at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi. Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Jayant Chaudhary, MSDE graced the event.
- During the event, several important initiatives were launched, and various high-impact Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged. The most notable MoU was signed between MSDE and the Government of the French Republic.
Key Dignitaries:
The event was also attended by Ambika G L Valmiki, Member of Parliament (MP) from Ananthapur, Andhra Pradesh (AP); Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Parliament), MP from Punjab; and Rajit Punhani, Secretary of MSDE.
About Skill India Mission:
Launch: In 2015, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi launched the Skill Indian Mission in accordance with ‘Aatmanirbhar (Self-Reliant)’ vision.
- The scheme was launched with initial objective to provide adequate training in market-relevant skills to over 40 crore youth by 2022.
- The PM chairs the Governing Council of the National Skill Development Mission to provide top-level coordination and strategic guidance.
Key Implementing Agencies: The mission is spearheaded by the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), National Skill Development Fund (NSDF), various Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) as well as training partners registered with NSDC.
Restructuring of the Mission: In February 2025, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi had approved the continuation and restructuring of ‘Skill India Programme (SIP)’, with budget outlay of Rs 8,800 crore from Financial Year 2022-23 (FY23) to FY26.
- Three major component schemes namely, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), are merged into a composite Central Sector Scheme (CSS), SIP.
Achievements: As of July 2025, more than 1.63 crore candidates had received training under the PMKVY in diverse sectors such as Information Technology (IT), healthcare, construction, and manufacturing.
Key Initiatives Launched:
IndiaSkills 2025-26:During the event, MSDE officially launched IndiaSkills 2025-26 which marking the opening of the national registration window for candidates aspiring to represent India at international skill competitions.
- MSDE also released the operational guidelines for IndiaSkills 2025, providing a clear framework for the conduct of district, state, and national-level competitions.
SOAR(Skilling for AI Readiness): A national level initiative SOAR was also launched at the event. It aimed at embedding AI awareness and foundational skills among school students (Class6-12) and building AI literacy among educators.
- The programme comprises 3 progressive 15-hour modules for students: AI to be Aware, AI to Acquire, and AI to Aspire and another independent 45-hour module, designed for teachers titled AI for Educators.
Skill Impact Bond (SIB):It is India’s 1st, and the world’s largest outcomes-based development impact bond for skilling and employment.
- The initiative is led by MSDE and has mobilized USD 14.4 million through NSDC, to transform how skilling is financed, with clear focus on employment outcomes.
NCVET’s Kaushal Verse DEP: It has operationalized its ‘Kaushal Verse’, advanced Digital Enterprise Portal (DEP).
- This state-of-the-art web portal has been developed to streamline and democratize the regulatory functions of NCVET, which will ensure efficient, transparent, and responsive service delivery in the skill ecosystem.
Revamped Apprenticeship Training (AT)Portal:The upgraded version of the portal features a significantly enhanced User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX).
Other Key Initiatives Launched:
Guidelines:NCVET has launched the Revised Comprehensive Guidelines for the Recognition and Regulation of Assessment Agencies-2025, mark a significant step towards ensuring standardized, transparent, and outcome-based assessment across the country.
- It also launched the revised ‘Guidelines for the Recognition and Regulation of Awarding Bodies (2025)’, which seeks to align with National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
Book: Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary also launched a book titled ‘Transforming Skill Development through Decentralized Planning’, developed under the Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) programme.
- He also launched the 60-hour Employability Skills Handbook for the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) clientele. The handbook, developed in collaboration with 1M1B, covers practical modules including communication, digital and financial literacy, customer service, entrepreneurship, and career readiness.
Report: Also, MSDE and NCVET jointly announced a strategy report aimed to align workforce capabilities of India with the changing demands of the global semiconductor value chain.
Key MoUs:
MSDE & France: MSDE and the Government of the French Republic signed a MoU to collaborate in vocational education and skill development, reflecting their shared vision for the future.
RDSDE & Apollo MedSkills: Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (RDSDE Telangana) under the Directorate General of Training (DGT) signed a MoU with Apollo MedSkills, the healthcare skilling arm of Apollo MedSkills, aimed to deliver industry-relevant and job-oriented training programs in the healthcare and allied sectors.
- Also MSDE signed MoUs with Dixon Technologies, Micrsoft, HCL, ICICI Foundation and Apollo MedSkills.
SLN Technology & NSTI Bangalore: SLN Technology under the Department of Science & Technology(DST) scheme under the MSDE signed a MoU for a ‘Semiconductor Technician’ course at National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) Bangalore (Karnataka).
NIT Agartala & MSDE: National Institute of Technology (NIT) Agartala signed a MoU with MSDE to improve skills by combining traditional and tech-driven job roles. NIT Agartala as an Institute of National Importance(INI), will train 370 candidates across various fields under PMKVY 4.0.
RRU & MSDE: MSDE signed a MoU with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gujarat to train 240 candidates under PMKVY 4.0.
MoUs with IITs:Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Una (Himachal Pradesh, HP) has signed a MoU with MSDE to bolster industry-aligned skill development.
- MSDE has signed a MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad (Telangana), to enhance vocational training aligned with industry requirements.
- IIT Patna (Bihar) to promote industry-aligned skills through an INI. Under PMKVY 4.0, IIT Patna will train 1,400 candidates in Patna across various sectors like: Agriculture, Green Jobs, Electronics, and Healthcare.
About Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE):
Union Minister of State (MoS) (IC)- Jayant Chaudhary (Rajya Sabha member- Uttar Pradesh, UP)
